October 2019 Published by Fyfield, West Overton and East Kennett View from the Rectory Parochial Church Council for the Upper Kennet Benefice Some years ago during a real permission forms allowing their child ‘Indian Summer’ October, a rather to participate and an 8 week time draconian edict was dictated to Head frame was put on the activity. Safe Teachers by the Local Education play was discussed in classes and Authority concerning the future of rules made, School Council appointed playing conkers in primary school monitors and there was a MOST playgrounds. I was a Head Teacher in DEFINITE BAN on the use of Please note the Upper Kennet those days and duly took it to a staff vinegar at home to harden the conkers Benefice now has a new website - meeting for discussion and uproar - a very sad thing indeed for me, as access link www.kennet8.org.uk ensued. Too much of what had been Chief Conker Wielder, but I the norm, in terms of playground reluctantly agreed. games, had been subverted, changed I would love to say there were no A new email address for the Benefice Office: and hedged in by ‘Elf and Safety’. accidents or injuries - my own fingers [email protected] Compliance was obligatory and it felt took a hammering daily from a group as if we had no control over how we of Year 6 pupils wielding their Kennet Valley Lottery Club encouraged the children to make good conkers with deadly precision. That choices and take safe risks. The wasn’t important. Reflecting draw winners banning of conkers felt to all of us a afterwards one governor said ‘We £100 Number 10 step too far and we rebelled: contacted couldn’t change the ruling but we £75 Number 24 Graham Kitchen the Insurers, consulted with other chose how that ruling would impact £50 Number 39 Martin Northmore-Ball schools and called in the H&S on us and it made us think about our (Some winners prefer that their names were not governor. The parents and children values and what we stood for in the published, in which case we just state the winning numbers) added their voices to the mix and education of our children and If you would like to join the lottery, ring strongly worded letters from the 264 enjoyment of childhood’. junior aged pupils went to the Perhaps as we face the uncertainty David Snape on 01672 861267 or email: st [email protected] Director of Education. They were of a future beyond October 31 we Another way to support our churches at West unanswered and ignored and the ban might choose how to respond wisely Overton, Fyfield and East Kennett remained. In the end, despite the to a ‘ruling’ beyond our control and in upheaval and the wrangling and the the face of the challenge of unrest, imposition of legislation, we made the commit to growing in unity, solidarity best we could of ‘a bad job’. and co-operation between neighbours, Notice Board Wedding Within the spirit of the law we did, friends and community. Kate Selway & 22 September Avebury indeed, comply with the ban of Nick Rickards conkers in the playground. However, we set up a cordoned-off area for the Funeral safe playing of ‘competitive conker CHURCH Paula Goodman 27 August West Overton sports’ near my office. A risk assessment was done, parents signed Burial of Ashes CHRISTMAS Christine Rickards 28 August Winterbourne Monkton Averina Northmore-Ball 31 August Avebury TREE SALE Joanne Stobbs 9 September Broad Hinton This is our 5th year of Christmas Fyfield Church tree sales, once again we are “A brief respite from everyday pressures – maintaining our 2014 pricing. a time of peace, calm and silent reflection” Church grounds The trees, as usual, will be Nordmann fir premium grade MEDITATION (TAIZÉ) Service tidy-up from a local grower and we will Every fortnight on a Wednesday evening at East maintain our free delivery option Kennett Church from 7.00 to 7.25pm: a chance Saturday for trees ordered by 30th to just sit quietly and relax and enjoy the silence November. and the peace by candlelight, with a background 19th October With the exception of the tree of occasional singing and some words of purchase, all income is spent on wisdom. church maintenance. Future dates for your diary: 9.30am – 12.30pm If you want to order your tree in Wednesday 9th October, Wednesday 23rd October, advance, the order form will be in Wednesday 6th November, Wednesday 20th November. next month’s edition of this Please bring your magazine – or contact [email protected] for an own tools online form. BACS payments accepted. The Christmas Bazaar Refreshments and Christmas tree sale will be on SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER at provided West Overton Church. www.upperkennetnews.co.uk UPPER KENNET CHURCHES SERVICES St Nicholas St Michael & Christ St James St Mary St Katherine & St Peter ad Vincula FYFIELD All Angels Church AVEBURY Magdalene St Peter BROAD HINTON WEST EAST WINTER’RNE WINTER’RNE OVERTON KENNETT MONKTON BASSETT Wednesday 10.30 am 2 October Celtic Communion 6 October 8.30 am 10 am 11.15 am 9.45 am Trinity 16 Prayer Book Informal Harvest Harvest Communion Service Family Service Holy Communion Wednesday 7 pm 10.30 am 9 October Meditation Celtic Service Communion (Taizé) 13 October 8 am 10 am 4 pm 9.45 am Trinity 17 Prayer Book Holy Harvest Service Prayer Book Communion Communion Matins & Kipling 5 pm Baptism Harvest Tea 11.30 am Ponting- Howse Baptisms Wednesday 10.30 am 16 October Celtic Communion 20 October Trinity 18 10.30 AM – BENEFICE SERVICE – COMMUNION – WINTERBOURNE BASSETT Wednesday 7 pm 10.30 am 23 October Meditation Celtic Service Communion (Taizé) 27 October 10 am 6 pm 4 pm 10.30 am 11.15 am Last Holy Evening Evensong Holy Communion Morning Prayer Sunday Communion Prayer after & Oakey Trinity baptism Wednesday 10.30 am 30 October Celtic Communion Home Communion If you are unable to come to a church service because of illness or disability then either the Rector or one of our Lay Pastoral Assistants would be happy to visit you in your home to offer communion. Please refer to the Who’s Who page at the back of this magazine for telephone numbers. Talking Tuesdays Readings @ The Rectory Sunday 6 October – Green Sunday 27 October - Green Avebury 16th Sunday after Trinity Last Sunday after Trinity 7.30 pm Lamentations 1.1-6 Joel 2.23-end Talk, Eat, Pray Psalm 137 [or 137.1-6] Psalm 65[or 65.1-7] lively debate, 2 Timothy 1.14 2 Timothy 4.6-8, 16-18 Luke 17.5-10 Luke 18.9-14 great refreshments Tuesday OCTOBER 8th - Harvest Past and Present. Sunday 13 October - Green Sunday 3 November – Gold or Explore the customs, traditions and music of harvests 17th Sunday after Trinity White across the British Isles and make your own Harvest Home Jeremiah 29.1, 4-7 All Saints’ Day salt loaf as we share and hear from local experts and maybe Psalm 66.1-11 Daniel 7-1-3, 15-18 a musician or two! 2 Timothy 2.8-15 Psalm 149 Tuesday NOVEMBER 5th - Gunpowder Treason and Plot: Luke 17.11-19 Ephesians 1.11-end Luke 6.20-31 the origins of Guy Fawkes/bonfire night. Enjoy the Sunday 20 October – Green (relative) peace and quiet of the Rectory - a good place to 18th Sunday after Trinity Harvest Festival Readings be for those who do not relish things that go whizz, bang Jeremiah 31.27-34 Deuteronomy 26.1-11 and wallop in the night! Psalm 119.97-104 Psalm 100 Tuesday DECEMBER 10th - Christmas Carols: their 2 Timothy 3.14-4.5 Philippians 4.4-9 or Revelation history, their power to move us, what they reveal about Luke 18.1-8 14.14-18 God. Enjoy sharing your favourites, have a good sing John 6.25-35 along and a bit of history together with house communion and Christmas refreshments. ALL WELCOME 2 www.upperkennetnews.co.uk Upper Kennet Churches Under The Harvest Festival Beech Tree Services A Space to Breathe Berwick Bassett 29 Sept 10.30 am Do you connect best with (Benefice Communion) God in creation? Are you in need of a Avebury 29 Sept 4 pm breathing space simply to rest in West Overton 29 Sept 5 pm the Divine Presence and (Songs of Praise) be still within creation? Broad Hinton 6 Oct 9.45am Then THIS might be just what you are looking for! (Holy Communion) Quiet Mindfulness, Guided Meditation, Sounds of Creation Winterbourne Bassett 6 Oct 11.15am Come and join us @ the Rectory, Avebury on the following (Family Service) dates/times Winterbourne Monkton 13 Oct 4.00pm ALL welcome, wherever you are on your spiritual journey. Followed by Harvest Tea 5.00pm As in previous years, our Harvest gifts of tins and Dates: dried foods will be given to the Trussell Trust who October - by candlelight distribute emergency goods throughout Friday 4th, 6 00pm Wiltshire Saturday 12th, 4pm, with refreshments th Saturday 26 , 4pm, with refreshments All are very welcome! little angels Come along for singing, snacks, Bible stories, play and craft activities for toddlers. Tea and cake for grown ups! 10 am on Thursday mornings on Wiltshire Palestine 3rd October, 17th October, 14th October, 14th November, 28th November Solidarity Campaign and 12th December at Kennet Valley School. Free of charge. Love in the Midst We look forward to seeing you there. of Chaos, Hope in the Heat of ‘Will you come and follow me War’ if I but call your name?’ Michael Eaton,(Avebury PCC) starts Training for ordination at Durham Rev’d Maria Shepherdson will talk about her work as former Head A final celebration service to mark this new step on Michael's spiritual journey was held at St James’ Avebury on September Teacher and Teacher Trainer for the Hope 8th.